Jennifer Piggott once believed Donald Trump was the working-class hero America needed. Now, she’s jobless, disillusioned, and warning others not to make the same mistake.
“I was a MAGA junkie,” she told CNN with tears in her eyes. “A MAGA junkie who thought her government job would be safe with Donald Trump in office.”
Piggott, a former employee of the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Service, was among 125 workers abruptly terminated in the latest wave of federal job cuts. The layoffs, part of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, have hit small-town America hard—especially in red strongholds like Parkersburg, where Trump won nearly 70% of the vote in 2024.
“I flew the Trump flag. I told my neighbors to vote for him,” Piggott said. “And this is what I got in return. Fired, humiliated, and now I’m scared for my future.”
A Red Town, Left in the Cold
Parkersburg, nestled along the Ohio River with a population just under 30,000, is home to one of the largest clusters of Bureau of Fiscal Service employees in the country. The agency functions as the government’s financial engine—handling payments, accounting, and debt collection. For many locals, it’s more than a paycheck. It’s a pillar of economic stability.
Now, that pillar is cracking.
“The irony is cruel,” said Matthew Sorenson, a local economics professor at West Virginia University. “Trump campaigned on protecting American jobs, especially in places like Parkersburg. But this isn’t draining the swamp—it’s draining Main Street.”
Performance Review—Then Pink Slip
Piggott had no reason to fear for her job—at least, not initially. Just three weeks before she was terminated, she received the highest possible rating in her performance review.
“There was no warning,” she said. “None. It’s like they had a list, and I was just a number on it.”
The official explanation? “Performance concerns.” But employees weren’t buying it. Many were still within their probationary period, which made them easier to dismiss without cause.
Another former employee, who requested anonymity, said she retired early to avoid being axed and losing her health insurance.
“I’m for fiscal responsibility, sure,” she said. “But this isn’t how you do it. You don’t balance the budget by gutting civil service jobs in towns that depend on them.”
What’s Really Behind the Cuts?
Critics say the firings were politically motivated—and not just about budget tightening. Some of the affected agencies had been probing high-profile figures, including companies linked to Elon Musk, a vocal Trump ally. Musk’s own financial interests have reportedly benefited from DOGE-era policy shifts.
“This administration is using ‘efficiency’ as a smokescreen,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “They’re not cutting waste—they’re cutting watchdogs.”
Caught in Limbo, Awaiting Justice
Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled the terminations unlawful and ordered reinstatement. But the Trump administration is fighting back, asking the Supreme Court to overturn the decision. Until then, Piggott and others remain on paid leave, suspended in a bureaucratic limbo with no guarantee of return.
“I’m not asking for special treatment,” said Piggott. “I just want the job I worked hard to earn. I want to feel safe again. I believed in Trump—but he doesn’t believe in people like me.”
‘I Expected Better’
When asked what she would say to Trump now, Piggott didn’t hesitate.
“I expected better from you. You promised to protect people like me. But instead, you pulled the rug out from under us.”
She paused. “You’re not cutting waste. You’re creating chaos. And if this is your vision of America, I don’t want any part of it.”
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What's Up Team
“Musk’s own financial interests have reportedly benefited from DOGE-era policy shifts.” ??? … Actually Democrats are celebrating that Musk’s and Trump’s businesses are down and their stocks prices have fallen!
Instead of whining, this woman above should be using her 8 months paid leave to find an even better job… although she might have to actually WORK at the new job…
This person must have been a pencil pusher.
Computers are better at most of those jobs.
If you want to be safe, turn wrenches to keep the military flying.
There’s no safety in desk jobs.
Having had one I am really telling the truth, only those who use tools to keep the fleet flying and sailing are really safe.
Treasury wasn’t very efficient is fraudulent payments are being found. I hear they paid COVID funds to people who never lived here. 1 million for a transgender comic book. How were these payments approved. Many people in government are getting paid but doing nothing.
Wow when steelworkers had a massive lay off they were told to go look for another job. They didn’t get eight months pay. There were suicides divorces family’s losing homes no one cared so frankly you have it better than most. Eight months pay wow. Stop crying get a job. If Trump and musk are stream lining that’s great. I’m on a fixed income. Still have to pay taxes on property, I have bills. I dint get eight months of anything. Suck it up
I doubt she cared when Biden shut down pipelines and ruined businesses with useless lockdowns. Her fellow Americans lost their jobs, homes, livelihoods while others suffered under repression, inflation and crime. I guess people like that are MAGAINO, MAGA In Name Only.
She will get over it. 😊 3 3/4 years left. Choo choo! 🚂 not convinced it will make a difference but i know what was being done made one for nobody except non residents.
Hey Jen, tuff shit! If Trump didn\’t have to fix ALL of Biden\’s disaster\’s the country would be better!